Heat-exchange module for liquid

ABSTRACT

A heat-exchange module for liquid includes a heat-exchange member and at least one heater unit. The heat-exchange member includes a first portion having at least one liquid passageway through which a liquid flows, a second portion coupled with the at least one heater unit for heating the second portion, and at least one thermal adjusting channel between the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member. The heater unit heats the second portion to a predetermined temperature to thereby store heat energy in the heat-exchange member. The thermal adjusting channel maintains a temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion such that the liquid is heated to a temperature substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature after flowing through the liquid passageway.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heat-exchange module for liquid. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat-exchange module for liquid that preheats a heat-exchange member to a predetermined temperature and thus stores heat energy in the heat-exchange member for increasing the heating rate of the liquid.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional heat-exchange module for liquid comprising a housing 7 and a heater unit 8. The housing 7 receives liquid and is preferably made of aluminum alloy or stainless steel. The heater unit 8 is mounted around an outer circumference of the housing 7 for heating the housing 7.

The housing 7 includes an inlet 71, an outlet 72, and a vent 73. The inlet 71 is defined in a higher portion of the housing 7 for guiding liquid into the housing 7. The outlet 72 is defined in a lower portion of the housing 7 for discharging heated liquid after heat exchange. The vent 73 is located adjacent to the inlet 71 for exhausting gas and for maintaining gas pressure in the housing 7. In use, liquid is filled into the housing 7 via the inlet 71 and the heater unit 8 is then activated to heat the housing 7 for rising the temperature of the liquid.

However, when the liquid in the housing 7 is heated to a boiling state, the liquid absorbs a large amount of heat energy and vaporizes. The steam exits the housing 7 via the vent 73, leading to a waste in the heat energy. Further, it is difficult to maintain the liquid in the housing at a high-temperature state, as the liquid in the steam phase carries away a large amount of heat energy. Hence, the heater unit 8 must repeatedly heat the housing 7 for maintaining the temperature of the liquid, resulting in repeated boiling of the liquid and waste of tremendous energy. Further, the heater unit 8 only wraps around the outer circumference of the housing 7 such that the heat-exchange area is merely a portion of the outer surface of the heater unit 8 and that most portion of the outer surface of the heater unit 8 is exposed to the environment. Hence, tremendous heat energy escapes to the environment, leading to further waste of energy and low heat-exchange efficiency.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a heat-exchange module for liquid that preheats a heat-exchange member to a predetermined temperature and thus stores heat energy in the heat-exchange member for shortening the time required for subsequently heating the liquid, thereby enhancing the heat-exchange efficiency and saving energy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat-exchange module for liquid that includes at least one thermal adjusting channel for controlling a temperature difference between two portions of the heat-exchange member, thereby controlling the heat-conduction efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention comprises a heat-exchange member and at least one heater unit. The heat-exchange member comprises a first portion including at least one liquid passageway through which a liquid flows, a second portion coupled with the at least one heater unit for heating the second portion, and at least one thermal adjusting channel between the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member. The at least one heater unit heats the second portion to a predetermined temperature to thereby store heat energy in the heat-exchange member. The at least one thermal adjusting channel maintains a temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion such that the liquid is heated to a temperature substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature after flowing through the at least one liquid passageway.

Preferably, the at least one thermal adjusting channel includes a fin structure on an inner circumference of the at least one thermal adjusting channel.

The fin structure may include a plurality of fins that are staggered or parallel to one another or arranged irregularly.

Alternatively, a heat-buffering material may be mounted in the at least one thermal adjusting channel.

Preferably, the first portion has a sectional area smaller than that of the second portion.

An anti-oxidation coating may be provided on an inner circumference defining the at least one liquid passageway for preventing the liquid from contacting the heat-exchange member.

Alternatively, the at least one liquid passageway is defined by an anti-oxidation metal tube for preventing the liquid from contacting the heat-exchange member.

The at least one heater unit may be a heat pipe or a thermoelectric chip of Peltier effect.

The at least one heater unit may be embedded in the second portion of the heat-exchange member.

Alternatively, the at least one heater unit is wound around an outer perimeter of the second portion of the heat-exchange member.

A heat-insulating material may be mounted around an outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member.

Alternatively, a vacuum-insulating structure is mounted around an outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member.

Preferably, an external control unit is connected to the at least one heater unit. The external control unit controls the at least one heater unit to preheat the heat-exchange member.

In an example, the heat-exchange member is annular.

In another example, the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member are concentric to each other.

Preferably, the first portion is radially outward relative to the second portion.

Preferably, the heater unit is located in a center of the second portion for uniformly heating the heat-exchange member.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional heat-exchange module for liquid;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the heat-exchange module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partly cutaway, of a second embodiment of the heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another sectional view of the second embodiment of the heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment of a heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention comprises a heat-exchange member 1 and at least one heater unit 2 (two in this embodiment). The heat-exchange member 1 is made of a material with a high conductivity factor, such as aluminum, copper, or alloys thereof. The heat-exchange member 1 is inverted T-shaped in section and includes a first portion “a” and a second portion “b”. Preferably, the sectional area of the first portion “a” is smaller than that of the second portion “b”. Alternatively, the sectional shape of the heat-exchange member 1 may be circular, rectangular, or other geometrical shape.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each heater unit 2 is preferably a heat pipe or a thermoelectric chip of Peltier effect. Each heater unit 2 is embedded in the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1. Alternatively, the heater unit(s) is(are) mounted around an outer perimeter of the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1. Thus, the second portion “b” may absorb and store heat energy released from the heater units 2 for rising the temperature of the heat-exchange member 1. The heater units 2 are connected to an external control unit (not labeled). Thus, preheating can be carried out by the heater units 2 through control of the control unit.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat-exchange member 1 includes at least one liquid passageway 11 (one in this embodiment) and at least one thermal adjusting channel 12 (two in this embodiment). The liquid passageway 11 is defined in the first portion “a” of the heat-exchange member 1 and allows flow of liquid to be heated. The thermal adjusting channels 12 are defined between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1, i.e., between the heater unit 2 and the liquid passageway 11. By arranging a connecting portion between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b”, the thermal adjusting channels 12 may effectively control the heat conduction between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b”, thereby adjusting the heat-conduction efficiency between the liquid and the heat-exchange member 1 and providing a temperature difference between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b”.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in use, the heater units 2 preheat the heat-exchange member 1 to a predetermined temperature, and the liquid is then guided into and flows through the liquid passageway 11. Heat exchange is carried out while the liquid is flowing through the liquid passageway 11, and the liquid temperature rises to a value approximately the same as the predetermined temperature but substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature.

More specifically, the heater units 2 are activated by the control unit (not labeled) to preheat the heat-exchange member 1 before the liquid enters the heat-exchange member 1. When the heat-exchange member 1 is heated to the predetermined temperature (there is a large temperature difference between the temperature of the liquid and the predetermined temperature), a large amount of heat energy is stored in the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1. Hence, the heat energy stored in the heat-exchange member 1 and the heater units 2 can be used to continuously heat the liquid, and the temperature of the liquid rises to a temperature substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature after passing through the liquid passageway 11. Next, the heated liquid is guided via a tube (not shown) to an outlet (not labeled) for discharging purposes. Thus, it is unnecessary to accumulate the liquid in the heat-exchange module before heating, preventing escape of the liquid in steam phase and avoiding repeated heating. Further, since the heater units 2 preheat the heat-exchange member 1, low-power heater units can be used and energy waste is reduced.

Further, the thermal adjusting channels 12 reduce the heat-conduction rate between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1 such that a temperature difference exists between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1. More specifically, by providing the thermal adjusting channels 12 between the first portion “a” in which the liquid passageway 11 is defined and the second portion “b” in which the heater units 2 are mounted and by controlling an overall volume of the thermal adjusting channels 12, the heat exchange between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” can be precisely controlled and adjusted to the predetermined temperature difference such that the temperature of the first portion “a” is slightly lower than that of the second portion “b”. This assures the liquid temperature (e.g., 95° C.) to be slightly below the predetermined temperature, allowing application in various heating devices for various liquids, such as water dispenser, water-heating devices, wine-warming devices, etc.

In a case that the liquid is a beverage, an anti-oxidation coating of such as stainless steel can be formed on an inner circumference defining the liquid passageway 11 by electroplating. The anti-oxidation coating has high conductivity. Alternatively, the liquid passageway 11 is defined by an anti-oxidation metal tube (such as a stainless steel tube) directly embedded in the heat-exchange member 1. Thus, direct contact between the beverage and an interior of the heat-exchange member 1 is avoided, preventing heavy metal in the heat-exchange member 1 from entering the beverage.

Further, an insulating material 3 (such as heat-insulating cotton or foamed styrene) or a vacuum-insulating device (such as vacuum-insulating glass) can be mounted around the outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member 1 for reducing heat loss resulting from heat exchange between the heat-exchange member 1 and the environment, further reducing escape of energy and further enhancing the heat-exchange efficiency.

FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention. Compared to the first embodiment, the heat-exchange member 1 in this embodiment is annular to provide a longer liquid passageway 11 for lengthening the travel for heat exchange between the liquid and the heat-exchange member 1. Further, a fin structure with fins 121 is provided on an inner circumference of each thermal adjusting channel 12. Alternatively, a heat-buffering material (not shown) is filled in each thermal adjusting channel 12 to adjust the heat impedance of the thermal adjusting channels 12, thereby precisely controlling the heat conduction efficiency between the liquid and the heat-exchange member 1. The fins 121 may be staggered or parallel to one another or arranged irregularly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention. Compared to the first and second embodiments, the heat-exchange member 1 in this embodiment is circular in section. The first portion “a” and the second portion “b” of the heat-exchange member 1 are concentric to each other, wherein the first portion “a” is radially outward relative to the second portion “b”. The heater unit 2 is located in a center of the second portion “b” for uniformly heating every portion of the heat-exchange member 1. The liquid passageways 11 are defined in or spirally extended around the first portion “a” to increase the heat-exchange area between the liquid and the heat-exchange member 1. The thermal adjusting channels 12 are defined between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” for effectively controlling heat conduction between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b”, thereby adjusting the heat-conduction efficiency between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b” and providing a predetermined temperature difference between the first portion “a” and the second portion “b”.

As apparent from the foregoing, the disadvantages of the conventional heat-exchange module are overcome. The heat-exchange module for liquid in accordance with the present invention provides enhanced heat-conduction efficiency and saves energy.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A heat-exchange module for liquid, the heat-change module comprising a heat-exchange member and at least one heater unit, said heat-exchange member comprising: a first portion including at least one liquid passageway through which a liquid flows; a second portion coupled with said at least one heater unit for heating the second portion; and at least one thermal adjusting channel between the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member; said at least one heater unit heating the second portion to a predetermined temperature to thereby store heat energy in the heat-exchange member, said at least one thermal adjusting channel maintaining a temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion such that the liquid is heated to a temperature substantially not greater than the predetermined temperature after flowing through said at least one liquid passageway.
 2. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one thermal adjusting channel includes a fin structure on an inner circumference of said at least one thermal adjusting channel.
 3. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fin structure includes a plurality of fins that are staggered or parallel to one another or arranged irregularly.
 4. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heat-buffering material mounted in said at least one thermal adjusting channel.
 5. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first portion has a sectional area smaller than that of the second portion.
 6. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an anti-oxidation coating on an inner circumference defining said at least one liquid passageway for preventing the liquid from contacting the heat-exchange member.
 7. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one liquid passageway is defined by an anti-oxidation metal tube for preventing the liquid from contacting the heat-exchange member.
 8. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one heater unit is a heat pipe or a thermoelectric chip.
 9. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one heater unit is embedded in the second portion of the heat-exchange member.
 10. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one heater unit is wound around an outer perimeter of the second portion of the heat-exchange member.
 11. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a heat-insulating material mounted around an outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member.
 12. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a vacuum-insulating structure mounted around an outer perimeter of the heat-exchange member.
 13. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a control unit external to the heat-exchange member and connected to said at least one heater unit, said control unit controlling said at least one heater unit to preheat the heat-exchange member.
 14. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heat-exchange member is annular.
 15. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first portion and the second portion of the heat-exchange member are concentric to each other.
 16. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first portion is radially outward relative to the second portion.
 17. The heat-exchange module for liquid as claimed in claim 16 wherein said at least one heater unit is located in a center of the second portion for uniformly heating the heat-exchange member. 